Shadows in video
games can be both beautiful and creepy but what is it like when you find
yourself able to control them?
Shadow puppeteer has a really unique
selling point in the main character which has a 3D world to navigate and explore
whilst your shadow works on a 2D space and is manipulated by the light and
surroundings, both are then utilised to traverse the stages and solve the
various puzzles. At the start of the game you are a boy
who finds an evening of solitude and apparent misery interrupted by a
villainous evil who proceeds to steal everyone’s shadows, luckily you manage to
keep yours but following the events you find you’re now both able to move independently
so you head out to track the Shadow Puppeteer down and free everyone’s stolen
shadows.
The game has a very dark and mystic feel to it, the pallet of colours used give off a very eerie feel which throw you into the dark feeling of this game. The story is told without any spoken words which works really well and plays through the movements of the characters which gives it a nice emotional feel and the music is bleak and empty helping to create a real sense of atmosphere. Handling the game feels at times can be difficult but I did finish the game completely by myself, so I would assume playing in co-op would be a little easier to play as I struggled to focus on both at the same time. Controlling the shadow is very simple and easily understandable whereas the boy can sometimes be a little harder with some of the angles the screen puts you in makes traversing jumping puzzles awkward at times.
I really enjoyed the game but think I would be more fun to play as a co-op then a single player game, so if you have someone that would be up for a beautiful title I recommend playing it with a friend. The one real issue is I just wish it was a little longer.
Shadow Puppeteer is out now on Steam and Wii U eShop Also check out Part Three of our EGX podcast trilogy which features an interview with Catharina & Marianne from Sarepta Studio